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Woman killed in car-bus crash near Disney World

ORLANDO, Fla., Aug. 17 (UPI) -- A Florida woman was killed near Disney World when her car was rear-ended by a bus carrying tourists to the theme park, police said.

Solange Blain, 63, was in her 1996 Buick stopped in the left lane of Epcot Center Drive in Orlando about 3:25 p.m. Friday when Disney's Magical Express bus slammed into the vehicle. Paramedics rushed Blain to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead, the Orlando Sentinel said.

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Two passengers aboard the bus, which was on its way to the park from the Orlando airport, suffered minor injuries. The bus driver, David Lee Morales, 33, was not hurt, police said.

Investigators were looking into the possibility Blain's vehicle had a mechanical malfunction that caused her to stop in the left lane. Witnesses told police the car was stopped just past the crest of a hill making it possible the bus driver didn't see Blain's parked car until the last moment.

Passengers said the driver tried to stop but couldn't avoid hitting Blain's car.

The company operating the tour bus, Mears Transportation Group, issued a statement pledging to help with the investigation.

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"Our deepest sympathies go out to the family of the individual who tragically lost their life in this accident. We are cooperating fully with [Florida Highway Patrol]."

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